Love Resolution - By Michelle Mankin Page 0,79
heard things have been pretty rough for you.”
“I’ve had it rough lately, but I’ll be ok,” she said with false bravado.
“You’ve got my number.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Call me if you need anything. I mean it.”
“Thanks, Chris.”
When she entered the corridor, she ran right into Marcus. She stepped back, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Have you been waiting out here for me?”
“Yeah.” He turned and headed down the hall. “I wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss group huddle again.”
“I wasn’t gonna.” She sighed as she followed him to the stage.
Dwight gave her a warm smile. JR spun his sticks without looking over.
“Ok, guys.” Marcus threw the laminated set list on the ground and his arm went immediately around Avery’s shoulder. Heart hammering, she tried to move away, but he held on tighter. “Stay, Ace,” he whispered in her ear as Dwight and JR joined them. His gaze drifted to them before coming back to her. “Keep it real, y’all.”
“Wow.” Dwight laughed. “That was bad. Probably the worst attempt at a Southern drawl I’ve ever heard. Remember, you’re a musician, not an actor, eh?”
Avery smiled weakly at Dwight and took her guitar from the tech. She moved next to the amp stack as Trevor finished the introduction.
“Thanks again,” JR said behind her.
“No worries,” Marcus told him with a nod. “I’m happy for you. Sam’s a great girl.”
Avery stared slack jawed at the sight of those two being so chummy.
“Close your mouth,” Marcus whispered, leaning into her. “Or I’ll take it as an invitation.”
She snapped her jaw shut and whirled around.
He chuckled, body brushing hers. “You didn’t seem to mind last night.”
“Thank you, Dallas,” Marcus said into the mic after the final number. “We’ve got a special surprise for you now.” He paused to wait for the crowd roar to subside. “We’re going to attempt a country song in honor of our road manager who’s a local girl.” He turned his head toward the side. “Trevor,” he called. “Can you bring Samantha Daniels out here?”
Trevor led her out. Sam’s grey eyes were wide as JR stepped down from the drum riser and met her, taking her hand from Trevor. She began to tremble.
“Breathe, baby.” JR soothed her. Taking a mic, he gestured for her to take a seat on the middle of three stools the roadies had placed out on center stage.
“Love you, girl,” Avery told her switching out her Ibanez for an acoustic and taking a seat beside Sam.
“Me, too.” Sam gave her a nervous smile.
Avery checked behind her to see if Marcus had taken his place. He gave her a thumbs up.
“When in Texas you gotta do it big.” JR smiled widely, addressing the crowd before turning to face Sam.
Sam tilted her head. She hadn’t caught on yet.
Avery started the intro on the acoustic as Marcus accompanied on the piano. As JR sang lyrics to Billy Dean’s “I Wanna Take Care of You,” tears began to brim in Sam’s eyes. Avery had to look away to keep it together as she backed JR up on the chorus. Despite the heightened emotions all around, they managed an admirable cover that clearly pleased the crowd.
JR gently pulled Sam to her feet at the end of the song and gestured to the side stage, where Sara appeared, Gram’s hand curled around her arm. Sam ran to them both and hugged them.
“I don’t think your man’s finished,” Sara told Sam. “Turn around.”
“I love you, Samantha Daniels.” JR took a ring out of his jean pocket and went down on one knee. “I want to take care of you for the rest of your life. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, John.” She nodded through her tears. He stood and slipped the ring on her finger, pulling her in and kissing her deeply.
Avery blinked through her own bittersweet tears. She was happy for them both, but she was also sad remembering another time and another proposal. Seemingly of their own volition her wet emerald eyes sought for and found Marcus’ blue. They stared at each other for several heartbeats. She knew without words being spoken that he was reliving the same moment. With a pained gasp, she spun around and moved quickly offstage.
With that long stride of his, Marcus quickly caught up to her. He grabbed her by the upper arms and pulled her off to the side. “I’ll have you back, Avery,” he said, gaze intense. “I meant what I said before.”
“Red,” a familiar voice interrupted. “Everything ok here?”
“Yes. It is now.” She gave